I was so happy that my 6 foot artificial ash tree only came one day late, because it allowed me to honor Great Yggdrasil on a different day than I honor Freyr and Freyja for May Day. The tree itself is rather nice for an artificial tree. They used real bark, and placed quite a number of branches throughout the structure for a realistic look. They say there are 2000 leaves on the branches,( I will take their word for it ), and they fill out the tree very nicely ! My only complaint was that they used a simple black plastic planter for under the tree. I quickly remedied this with a beautiful red glazed stone pot which I filled up to the top with moss for effect. I placed my monument to Yggdrasil next to my fireplace / altar to Odin. With Odin's connection to the Great White Ash it just seems like the perfect place for it. I decided to go all out and have a full ritual this morning for Yggdrasil, complete with Viking clothes. I wanted to honor the Great Pillar for all the ways it protects and helps us, so I wanted this ritual to be special. At the base of the Great Tree I placed a small world globe to represent our world, and across from it I placed a small pewter statue of Hel to represent Niflheim where one of Yggdrasil's roots anchors the universe in place. For the toasts I wanted something that would represent the cloudy water that it is watered with each day, so I made some tea and poured in some milk. It actually was very close to what I was striving for. I then consecrated the area with my Thor's Hammer before going any further. As you know, if you have read me before, I never tell anyone what to say when honoring others during a ritual. You should always praise Them in your own words ! I will say, however, that I praised Yggdrasil so many times that I had to fill the horn twice ! One of the great things the Triad has shown me is that it is not just the Gods, Goddesses, ancestors and heroes that we should honor, but also the great animals,( I hold that one before the Charming of the Plow ), growing things, and even inanimate objects. We may not see Skidbladnir, Mjollnir, and Gungnir as living, but there is a force within them that should be honored. I then hung eight runestones, a Thor's hammer, a Valknut, and a viking ship necklace on the Great White Ash to honor It and to adorn it with the beauty it deserves. I had a great moment of revelation during the ritual when I realized that Yggdrasil is not just the strong pillar that holds up our worlds and holds together our universe, but is also the pillar of strength that keeps our souls strong and spirits held high. It is not just alive in space and time, but within all of us. It is a seed that grows within us and helps keep us the good people that we then become. It is amazing what rituals can make you feel and understand ! Hail Great Yggdrasil, Great Pillar Of Our World !!! Glenn BergenGo with Odin's wisdom, Freyja's love and Thor's protection !